Maddie DiMaria becomes first freshman to win Gatorade Girls National Player of the Year

Affton, Mo. – In its 39th year of honoring the nation’s most elite high school athletes for excellence on and off the field of play, Gatorade today announced Maddie DiMaria of Cor Jesu Academy in Affton, Mo. is the 2023-24 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

DiMaria joins an impressive group of former Gatorade National Girls Soccer Players of the Year who have combined for more than 17 gold medals and nine National Championships and is the first freshman in Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year history to be awarded the honor. DiMaria was selected from more than half a million other student-athletes who play high school girls soccer nationwide.

DiMaria was surprised with the trophy on the soccer field at Cor Jesu Academy surrounded by her family, coaches and teammates. Afterward, she received a surprise video message from Chicago Red Stars forward and 2014-15 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year Mallory Swanson congratulating her on the honor. DiMaria also got a taste of the pro athlete experience with a styling session, photoshoot and media interviews.

Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their success on and off the playing surface. From CEOs and coaches to star athletes, Gatorade Player of the Year winners showcase the power of sport, touting an all-star group of girls soccer alumni that includes Mallory Swanson, Aly Wagner and Kennedy Fuller.

“Gatorade Player of the Year winners have become synonymous with greatness, with many athletes going on to become some of the biggest names in sport,” said Gatorade president and general manager Michael Del Pozzo. “Maddie is no different, and we look forward to seeing the impact she will make on and off the field.”

Gatorade Players of the Year are not only the best of the best in their respective sports, but they’re also leaders in the classroom and in their communities. DiMaria has served as a member of the Cor Jesu choir, volunteered on behalf of Christian Action Reaching Everyone and has also assisted the Special Needs Soccer Association. DiMaria has maintained an unweighted 4.18 GPA in the classroom and will begin her sophomore year of high school this fall.

“Maddie DiMaria’s historic freshman season was a perfect example of what makes her such a special talent,” said J.R. Eskilson, National Analyst for PrepSoccer.com. “Ruthlessly efficient on the attack and fiercely competitive, she did what her team needed in order to win, supplying goals, assists and everything else to help her side hang a state championship banner. DiMaria’s play frustrated opposing coaches as she was always a step or three ahead of the competition. Driven to improve her game, DiMaria showcased goal-scoring ability with her left foot this season that made many question which one was her dominant side. She was utterly unstoppable on the pitch.”

As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $4.9 million in grants to winners across more than 1,900 organizations.

To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student-athletes, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com.